CM4-IO-POE-4G-Box - A Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 box for industrial IoT applications

While the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 is basically unobtanium, companies keep introducing products based on the Arm system-on-module, and Waveshare CM4-IO-POE-4G-Box is a complete system designed for industrial IoT applications with CAN Bus, RS232 and RS485 interfaces, Ethernet with PoE support, plus optional support for 2G to 5G cellular connectivity.

The CM4-IO-POE-4G-Box is based on the “Compute Module 4 PoE 4G” carrier board which itself appears to be an update to the company’s earlier “Compute Module PoE 4G” carrier board for the Raspberry Pi CM3 module.

CM4-IO-POE-4G-Box / Compute Module 4 PoE 4GB board specifications:

Support SoM – All variants of Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4
Storage – MicroSD card socket used for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 Lite (without eMMC)
Display
- 2x HDMI ports up to 4Kp30 (I suppose even 4Kp60)
- 2x 15-pin MIPI DSI connectors + openings in the enclosure for flat cables
Camera – 2x internal 15-pin MIPI CSI connectors + openings in the enclosure case for flat cables
Networking
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 connector with 802.3af-compliant PoE circuit (5V/2.5A)
- Optional WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5 (on Raspberry Pi CM4 module)
- Optional 2G/3G/4G/5G cellular via M.2 B Key module (SIM7600G or SIM8200EA), SIM card slot
- 2x antenna holes
USB – 2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
I/Os / expansion
- Isolated RS232 via DB9 connector
- Terminal block with isolated RS485, CAN Bus, I2C, ADC, GPIO
- PCIe Gen 2 x1 slot (internal)
Debugging/Programming – 1x USB Type-C port for flashing the firmware, 1x USB Type-C port for the serial console
Misc – RTC plus battery socket, 5V/12V fan header, 6x LED’s
Power Supply
- 7V~36V DC wide-range input via power jack or 2-pin terminal block
- PoE
Dimensions
- Carrier board – 160 x 114mm
- Box – 172 x 117 x 29.30mm

The carrier board is available standalone, or as part of a mini PC kit (CM4-IO-POE-4G-Box) with a metal case, a 5000rpm cooling fan, a 12V/2A power adapter, as well as a screwdriver and screws for assembly. The 4G or 5G module and antennas come as options. It appears the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 is never included and needs to be purchased separately, good luck with that!

Waveshare recommends the installation of Raspberry Pi OS downloaded directly from the Raspberry Pi website and provides demos and instructions for all interfaces in the Wiki. Note the download link for the demo code can be found at the bottom of the Wiki.

I initially found CM4-IO-POE-4G-Box on Banggood for $99, but it’s also available on Amazon and Waveshare’s online store with the option to select the 4G module.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.